Tens of thousands of angry protesters took to the streets of Berlin, Leipzig, Munich and Koln to protest the collaboration between the CDU and the AfD regarding a bill presented in German parliament to further curb immigration.

For context, the CDU, led by Friedrich Merz, is Germany’s most popular political party, with polls estimating 30% party popularity which is the highest in the political race. It is estimated Friedrich Merz will win the elections on the 23rd of February, and become the next German Chancellor. 

The AfD is a far-right party, led by Alice Weidel. Although the popularity of the AfD is lower compared to that of the CDU, they have been gaining significant popularity amongst the German populace, but with that popularity, also comes a strong opposition. The AfD have been deemed as “suspected extremists” by the German Judiciary, and have a strong stance against Muslim Immigration in Europe. Current polls estimate 21% party popularity. 

While the CDU and AfD were effectively able to pass the non-binding resolution, in an attempt to block undocumented foreigners at German borders, which includes asylum seekers, 2 days later, they were unable to pass a bill further restricting immigration by votes 350-338. The bill was put forward by the CDU, but backed heavily by the AfD.

These bills are a response to a horrific knife attack that took place in a park in Bavaria, in which the perpetrator was a rejected asylum seeker. 

It is estimated by police that 160,000 people came out to protest in Berlin on Sunday, and an extra 220,000 all throughout the country regarding the collaboration between CDU and AfD. This is an association with Far-Right parties in Germany became both a political and social taboo post-WW2. The citizen-led rally in Berlin started just outside the Federal Parliament Building, and moved towards the CDU headquarters. 

Citizens were further enraged by Merz breaking his promise made in November, in which he stated that he would “never” put forward any motion that isn’t agreed upon by both the SPD (ruling party) and the Greens. At the time, he had ruled out passing any motion that would even gain slight support from the AfD. He has also ruled out the possibility of a coalition government with the AfD as well, but the public now doubts whether Merz will follow his word.

The collaboration has received backlash from Former German PM and CDU party leader Angela Merkel, who has publicly called Merz out for “Going back on his promises”. Merkel has stayed quiet regarding German politics ever since her retirement, but believes the situation is currently too dire to ignore.

Merz has defended his actions, by stating that they are necessary. Last week, he said that “A right decision doesn’t become wrong just because the wrong people agree with it”

Political analysts and experts are saying that Merz has effectively ruined his campaign, which was going very strongly. Although it is a far-fetched theory, it is speculated by some that Merz might even lose the German election on the 23rd, as he has handed a gift to the far-right by destroying his own credibility. He will have to pay the price of his decisions when trying to form a stable coalition government after the elections if he wins.